15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners in order
to hear him.
15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives
sinners, and eats with them.
15:3 And he spoke this parable unto them, saying,
15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them,
does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that
which is lost, until he find it?
15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was
lost.
15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance.
15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one
piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently
till she find it?
15:9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbours
together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had
lost.
15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repents.
15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the
portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living.
15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together,
and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance
with riotous living.
15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that
land; and he began to be in lack.
15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country;
and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the
swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants
of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and before you,
15:19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of
your hired servants.
15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great
way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his
neck, and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe,
and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
15:23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat,
and be merry:
15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and
is found. And they began to be merry.
15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh
to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things
meant.
15:27 And he said unto him, Your brother has come; and your father
has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.
15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father
out, and implored him.
15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do
I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet
you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
15:30 But as soon as this your son was come, which has devoured your
living with harlots, you have killed for him the fatted calf.
15:31 And he said unto him, Son, you are ever with me, and all that
I have is yours.
15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this
your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.